How sweet are the words

How sweet do the words "  I wuv you!" sound from the mouth of your 1.5 yr child especially when you are thousands of miles away.

Yes! Was skyping with Nishka said she gave a flying kiss and said "I wuv you!". And I just can't describe the feeling. It was so so precious.

"I wuv you too my betu. I wuv you too."

Some anecdotes

I was trying to put Nishka to bed and patting her. She sits up after about a minute and starts patting me back saying "Ninni...ninni.."

Role reversal?? Abhi se?

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While Anirudh was working on his homework, Nishka took away one pencil and scribbled on the wall much to my shock. I scolded her for doing that. And in return got a big scolding back from Anirudh for scolding such a little baby saying "She is so small. How will she know she is not supposed to do that?" And took Nishka away carrying her in his arms and gave her a rough paper and sat with her while she scribbled.

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Nishka took apart the little cubes from Anirudh's Rubik Cube one night after Anirudh had gone to bed. Next day Anirudh noticed one cube piece lying near his bed and said "Koi baat nahi. Main isko jodh doonga." (Nothing to worry. I can fix this piece back.)

When I told him that all the other pieces have also been taken apart like this, he had a totally bewildered look on his face and asked me who did that? When I told him your lil sister and I didn't scold her as you don't like me to, his first reaction "Where did she get so much strength from?"

And the second reaction, "Nishka - this is coming out of your pocket money when you grow up!"

My reaction - Good that they can sort out issues like these between themselves :D
 

Tid-bits from the past month

Anirudh has been after my case for losing weight since the past few months. And now he even cracks jokes on me relating to my weight and my paunch. Here are two anecdotes as a proof -

There were two cars parked next to each other in front of the relatives house we were visiting. I looked at both sides of the cars trying to see which side should I use to go inside the house as Nishka was in my arms.

Looking at my dilemma Anirudh says "Aap to kahin se bhi fit nahi aayogi!" (You will not fit from either of the sides) and ran away laughing leaving me fuming.

Another incident was when one day I was lying in a posture that was making my tummy/belly protrude quite a bit. So he comes and starts caressing and talking to it as if there is a baby inside still. I actually spanked him for that :)

He is becoming such a tease these days..uff!!

Coming to Nishka, she has been walking quite comfortably since a few days past her birthday. And she is loving it so much that if she is awake, you will see her walking around the whole house all the time. It does get a bit tiring keeping an eye on her lest she gets herself in trouble.

One funny thing is that when she has to get in or get out of the kitchen, she crawls out instead of walking. And this is because the kitchen floor is about half an inch lower than the rest of the floor outside it. And we all laugh as if she is climbing down/up a big step :)

She is also completely comfortable drinking milk from glass. Its been more than a month since we weaned off the bottle and minus the initial hiccups in the first week, it has been a smooth sailing.

Its really fun watching her talk. The expressions on her face, the movement of hands, the intonations...everything is just so precious. Both me and hubby feel that she is going to be a big chatterbox.

Recently I started singing few nursery rhymes with her and she has picked up some words and actions for each of them. So when I sing the "Johhny Johnny! Yes Papa!" rhyme, she will say "Ha! hah!" after the lines "Open your mouth..."

She makes twinkling action using her fingers when we sing "Twinkle twinkle little star..." and even says "Up" after we've sung the line "How I wonder what you are..".

She loves to sing "Eeya eeya o" from the rhyme "Old McDonald's had a farm.."

But for all this she has to be in the mood. Coz if she isn't, how much you coax her she just won't say all these stuff.

Some of the other stuff she has learnt is kissing. Or shall I call it licking? :D The reason being whenever I ask her to give puchha or pyari kar do, she licks us :D

She has also learnt to do flying kiss. But its a little messy flying kiss because she kind of blows out her drool along with the kiss. Anirudh especially runs away whenever she does that as he finds it really 'ewww'.

I'm trying to introduce her to veggies in her food these days. I had been making her khichdi with carrot, lauki and green beans for sometime now. Also introduced her to palak and methi paranthas besides the aloo ones now that its the season for fresh methi and palak. One day made her taste soya nuggets and she ate that too with interest.

Cheerios has been her favourite snack for a long time now but recently I gave her wheat coconut cookies from a bakery nearby and she enjoys eating those too on her own.

But despite adding more of home-cooked fresh and nutritious stuff, she still is loosing the baby chubbiness that she used to have. I guess its because of her being too active and walking around a lot. There are times I wonder if she ever gets tired with the amount of walking she does.

Prospective Olympic winner at our home

At dinner table yesterday we all were discussing India's performance in the Olympics and the medals won by our athletes. All this while Anirudh was quietly eating and I assumed that he was not listening. But then looks like he was and that too quiet intently.

He chipped in - "Agar naughtiness ka koi event hota to Nishka usme teeno medals jeet kar aati!" :D

And its back again

The mood swings of Anirudh is what I'm talking about. Remember this post - http://anirudh-nishka.blogspot.in/2007/06/crying-stubborn-and-defiant-child.html and this - http://anirudh-nishka.blogspot.in/2009/11/who-wants-to-be-boy.html and ? Almost everything with some addition and some subtraction is back. Everything I tell him to do or not do is responded with a big smirk. Or with an irritated "Achha theek hai na...!!!" He blatantly walks away, completely ignoring what me or hubby are telling him. It has been going on for a little more than a week. So after I had had enough yesterday I told him if whatever Mumma says or does irritates him so much I will not say anything to him. And even at that he got so angry and emotional saying "You don't want to be my mumma....theek hai...jayo..mat bano meri mumma!" And I'm left totally flabbergasted and confused at his reaction.

Kuch karo to problem...kuch nahi karo to bhi problem. I let it go at that moment. And rather for the entire day. I broached it again at night time when he was in bed and I slipped next to him and cuddled with him. And then I asked why is he so irritated and angry all the time? Is something bothering him? Something at school? Or otherwise? But he said he doesn't know himself. I  asked him to think over again and again he said he really doesn't know. I just hugged him tight and said he should talk to mumma if anything is bothering him or to share anything that he would like to. And at that he just snuggled in further closer to me and dozed off within seconds. And today morning the first thing he told me was "Aapse cuddle karke sone mein bahut mazaa aaya." And I just smiled.

I know he is adjusting a lot with me being busy with Nishka when I'm home. I also know he needs me to spend time with him but he doesn't say so because he himself wants me to take care of Nishka..his adorable, cutie sister. He just loves her to bits. I did try to spend more time with him over the weekend. We did go for our morning walk on Saturday but in Sunday he just didn't budge. I tried to reason with him and make him understand about him watching too much TV or playing games on Wii or on the laptop. He simply tells me "I know ..." and continues with it.

But seeing him in a happy mood today morning, I'm hoping for better days ahead.

Coming to Nishka and him, yesterday when he was reading his book and Nishka was lying close to him, she started to grab the book from his hands. And when I was trying to stop her, Betu tells me "Karne do na usko. Main usko mana kar doonga agar zyaada pareshaan karegi." I just smiled and started to click a few pictures. Here is one

And I left them together to make breakfast feeling happy and so contented.

Jab meri shaadi hogi...

Yesterday me and Betu were reminiscing about the times when Nishku was in the tummy. And suddenly he said - "Mumma, aap mujhe bhi roti banana sikha do."(Mumma, teach me how to make a chapati - Indian bread). I asked him why? He replied "Jab main bada hoyunga, aur meri shaadi hogi, main bhi apni wife ke liye roti banayunga." (When I will grow up and get married, I'll also make chapatti's for my wife).

I had such a big smile on my face hearing this. He was recalling my pregnancy days when I was on bed rest and the days when cook would be off, hubby would make roti for me. I hope that Betu has these sweet thoughts when he grows up too. His wife would be so lucky :)

Huh?

Conversation between hubby and betu a while back -

Hubby singing the song "Sweety sweety tera pyaar chahida..."

Betu: Aap kyun yeh gaana ga rahe ho? Aapki to biwi hai. Aapko girlfriend thode hi chahiye. Aapki biwi naraaz ho jayegi agar aap girlfriend le kar aayoge.

Me: *dumbstruck*...at usage of word "Biwi" (wife) and also at his understanding of the fact that either biwi or girlfriend.

Mumma = Time Machine

A conversation between Betu and his Papa.


Betu: Mumma is like "Time machine".
Papa: How come?
Betu: She knows what has happened even when she is not there and she knows what's going to happen too.
Papa: *laughs heartily*

Me: *rolling my eyes*

Google zindabad

Conversation between me and Betu yesterday evening

Betu: Mumma dragonfly to hindi mein kya kahte hain? (What is dragonfly called in Hindi?)
Me: I don't know bachha.
Betu: To google karo na...usme sab mil jaata hai. (Google it. You find everything there.)

Yes, my smartypants :)

Don't grow up so fast my baby!

I know you turned 7 three days ago. I know you are growing up but don't grow up so fast my jaan. Today your schools started after the session break and your timings changed from 8:30 AM to 7:30 AM. It was a little rushy today as we still have to get used to this one hour early timing. I asked you what you want for breakfast. You matter of factly said "Poha" which remains your favourite since the past 3 years.

After I had gotten you ready, I was about to rush to make your breakfast. You stopped me and said in such a mature tone "Poha mein time zyaada lagega na..aap mujhe bread butter hi de do." I was so touched by your concern and to see you talking like such a grown up mature boy.

I know its not a recent thing. I've seen you acting so much more mature then your age and it brings a lump in my throat. I love you my sweetheart! I love you so much!

Stumped

Hubby is traveling and Betu doesn't like it one bit that when his papa goes away for long durations. He has been very sad and cried a lot on Sunday when his papa left.

Yesterday morning we continued doing our regular morning activities with no mention of papa. I thought he is fine now and not sad anymore. Well I was wrong. While I was driving him to his school, with a very serious face and tone he asked me "Aapke husband chale gaye hain, aap sad nahi ho?" (Your husband has gone, are you not sad?)

I turned to look at him and I didn't know what to say. It took me a lot of effort not to laugh. I was so amused with the expression...the way he stressed on the relationship between me and hubby.

His quips

The other day I found one of his crocs on one side of the bed and the second on the other side. When I angrily asked him, why are they lying so he said "Un dono mein ladayee ho gayee hai. Isliye ek gussa ho kar udhar baitha hai aur ek idhar." (They had a fight and one is sitting on one side in anger and the other on this side)

All my anger just vanished in thin air :)

His take on washing dishes

Yesterday I was cleaning one utensil which I needed and Betu came in to the kitchen...looking at me he asked "Aaapko to bartan dhone mein bada mazaa aata hoga?" (Washing utensils must be so much fun for you).

Me: "Why?"

Betu: "Kyunki aapko paani se khelne ko mitla hai!" (Coz you get to play with water)

Me:  ...zapped and laughing...

There's no problem!

These days whenever I'm stuck and wonder how to go ahead in doing a certain task, Anirudh suggests what we can do and ends it with "There's no problem!" :)

For example, yesterday night I was telling hubby that we don't have any milk at home even for tea in the morning. So Betu said "Koi baat nahi Mumma. Main aur papa subah ja kar doodh le aayenge. There's no problem!" (Me and papa will go in the morning and buy the milk.)

Other day, he was asking me to bake his favourite chocolate cake for him and when I said there are no eggs at home, he said "Hum abhi ja kar le aate hain shop se. There's no problem!" (We shall go and get it from the shop now.)

So you can see how he is my little problem solver. Love you my jaan!

Zapped

Betu is really excited today because its his papa's birthday. He is planning a lot of things. We will do this...and that. We will go and buy this...etc etc. So basically he is in a vary happy mood.

So on our way to work and his daycare, he says to me and hubby both, "Achha hua aapne apni fight kal hi kar li (me and hubby had a big tiff yesterday). Aaj sab khush khush rahenge aur masti karenge". Me and hubby looked at each other and just smiled.

Some more questions...

If you would have noticed Betu has been asking a lot of baby or pregnancy related questions to us. Most of the questions would be directed at me but this time they were directed to his papa dear.

Betu: Boys ke tummy se baby kyun nahi nikalta? Sirf girls ke tummy se hi kyun nikalta hai?
Papa: Aisa hi hota hai Betu.

Betu: But girls ke tummy se girls nikalni chahiye and boys ke tummy se boys..

Papa had no answer to that and neither do I. Do you?

Aap cheating kar rahe ho!

Anirudh came over in the evening to my workplace yesterday. And his observation about me was hilarious and too cute. He saw me writing something in the notepad and after a while as I started to check something in my computer, he immediately pipes up "Aap cheating kar rahe ho!" (You are cheating!)

Before & now

BEFORE -

Betu:: "Aap aaj khane mein kya banaogi?" (What will you make for dinner today?)
Me: Aapko kya khana hai? (What do you want to eat?)

Betu: Palak paneer? (Spinach + cottage cheese)
Me: But Betu palak aur paneer dono hi nahi hai. (I neither have spinach nor cottage cheese)

Betu: Rajma rice? (Kidney beans + rice)
Me: But rajma ko bahut der tak bhigona padta hai. (We need to soak kidney beans for very long time)

And he would keep coming with options which I would say no to because of some reason or the other and then he would say...

Betu: To aap kya banaoge? (Then what will you make?)
Me: Daal rice?

Betu (With a sullen face) : OK

This conversation would happen way too often..almost everytime. But now...

NOW -

Betu:: "Aap aaj khane mein kya banaogi?" (What will you make for dinner today?)

Me: Aapko kya khana hai? (What do you want to eat?)

Betu: "Pahle yeh batao aapke paas kya hai? Aap kya bana sakte ho?" (First you tell me what do you have? What all can you make?)

hahaha...can you see the difference between "before" and "now"? :D
He's definitely turned smarter :D

His take on our financial status

A while ago, me and Betu were playing pretend play and I was a shopkeeper and he a customer. 'So after he had bought stuff from me, I asked him to pay. He replied that he didn't have any money. I then asked him to call his mom and dad to bring money. His response - "Mere papa mummy ke paas koi paise nahi hain. Woh hamesha bank card se samaan khareedte!" ("My papa-mummy don't have any money. They always pay by bank cards.") He was referring to credit card when he said bank card).

Any comments anyone? I had nothing to say when I heard him saying that.

Visit to Post Office

Yesterday Betu had gone to Post Office from school and afterwarsd they went to Lodhi Garden for picnic.

So when I was asking him to detail out hat all he saw in the post office, he told me they saw the stamps, the boxes where they sort the letteres for different places, letter boxes, the sacks in which the letters come to post office an also about the stamp/seal that is put at the post office on the stamps for date and location of the post office.

He added that its the same post office that they had gone to when he was in Nursery class and asked me "Kya sirf ek hi post office hai yahan?" Baar baar usi post office mein le jaate hain." (Is there only one post office here? They take us to the same one again and again.)

me and hubby had such a good laugh at his observation. I then told him that since that post office is close to Lodhi garden, that is why they take you to that post office.

Edited to add:
All the kids had posted a letter to the parents from the post office and he has been eagerly waiting for it to arrive.